SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of GPS technology 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
258800  Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of GPS technology 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Geographical Information Sciences 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction Physical Planning, Design and Management 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 7  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L7  15 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard has been developed for the GIS occupational area and is intended for persons who aim to achieve career advancement by gaining GIS skills leading to qualification based on unit standards. A person who has successfully completed this unit standard will have a basic understanding of how a GPS works, how accurate it is and how to capture field data using such a device.

A person credited with this unit standard is able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the GPS satellite system.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of how a GPS calculates position.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of errors in GPS positions.
  • Demonstrate the ability to perform a simple data survey using a GPS. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The credit calculation is based on the assumption that learners are already competent in terms of the following outcomes or areas of learning when starting to learn towards this unit standard:
  • Datums, Projections, Co-ordinate Systems.
  • All Spatial Awareness Unit Standards.
  • Understand data quality and metadata. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Range statements are included with specific outcomes as necessary.

    Specific range statements are provided in the body of the unit standard where they apply to particular specific outcomes or assessment criteria. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the GPS positioning and satellite systems in the context of the space segment of GPS technology and applications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Orbital characteristics are explained in terms of the GPS satellite constellation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Design issues affecting GPS accuracy are understood and explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Selective availability, GPS units.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The trilateration process as performed by GPS is understood and explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The role of accurate clocks for the GPS system is understood and explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The role of the ephimeres of the GPS satellite constellation is understood and explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate an understanding of errors in GPS positions in the context of the control and performance segment of GPS technology and applications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The combined magnitude of biases and errors is understood and explained in the context of the effect that it has on the accuracy of GPS positioning results. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Atmospheric factors that influence GPS position is understood and explained in terms of understanding errors. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Lonospheric, tropospheric.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Operational factors that influence GPS position is understood and explained in terms of understanding errors. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Including but not limited to proximity to objects, proximity to radio signal emitting devices, multi-pathing, tree canopy, rover and base station positioning.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Differential corrections are understood in terms of understanding errors. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Real time DGPS, Post processed DGPS.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate the ability to perform a simple data survey using a GPS in the context of the user segment of GPS technology and applications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A practical survey of at least five point entities is done using a GPS. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The surveyed points are downloaded from the GPS to computer. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The integrity of the downloaded data is verified and corrected if required, in the GIS. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The downloaded points are integrated on a GIS with other available data sets from the same area. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA by SAQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Essential embedded knowledge is dealt with under the specific outcomes section where "Demonstrate KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING" is required. 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Solve problems. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team/group/organisation or community. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, organise and critically evaluate information. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematics and language skills in the modes of oral and written presentations. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically (showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others). 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Display an understanding of the world as a set of related systems. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Contribute to the full development of each learner and the social and economic development of society at large. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Notes to Assessors:
  • This unit standard is not aimed at detailed calculations in any form. Rather, the focus should be to develop a good background knowledge of positioning technology.
  • It is also important that learners be exposed to operational differences between different Datums, Projections and coordinate systems. It is suggested that data given for practical exercises be in a projection other than that in which the GPS is configured and that learners be guided to set the GPS up accordingly. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  63711   Bachelor of Geographical Information Science (GISc)  Level 7  NQF Level 07  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2018-06-30   


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.